TMS ROUNDUP: OUR TOP TEN BLOGS OF 2021!

 Written By Melvin Tunstall III

We made it, TheaterMakers! 

It’s hard to believe we have come to the end of another year. Looking back through a year’s worth of content from our founder and the TMS team in anticipation of this post was a bittersweet journey, as I will soon embark on new opportunities and make way for a new TheaterMaker to take the reigns of our Tip of the Week email and our TMS Blogs. I promise I will return at any given opportunity. TheaterMakers Studio was the greatest gift during the pandemic and I could not be more grateful for each and every one of you.

Okay, now what we’ve all been waiting for: OUR TOP TEN BLOGS OF 2021! 

Starting us out is one of my earliest blogs! I hadn’t even started using photos and gifs yet. Thank you for being patient with me. Also, can you believe we had two major TikTok musicals this year? With Ratatouille and The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, TikTok took Broadway by storm!

10. IN APPRECIATION OF MUSICAL THEATER TIKTOK

“Musical Theater TikTok is having a moment. With the need for live entertainment growing daily as we hopefully enter the final phases of the shutdown, theatre lovers are flocking to a new wave of TikTokers to get their Broadway fix and making viral stars out of Broadway veterans and hopefuls along the way. If you need a little break from that to-do list, here are five accounts keeping us entertained here in Pandemia.”

Submissions were on your mind after this year’s summit, so we put together a few packets for you last week and got to #9!

9. 5 PACKETS FOR PRODUCER SUBMISSIONS!

“We are constantly pushing boulders up mountains- what we do is really, really, difficult- and if you don’t have passion and people who are aligned, you’re not going to get where you need to be.”

Our #8most viewed blog of the year told us how you felt after sitting alone in your rooms for a year: Cabarets were on your mind!

8. CABARETS AND CONTRACTS

“As far as needing a union contract, the venue dictates the need for union involvement. Actors’ Equity has an agreement with Cabaret-style theaters, not restaurants.”

Affirmations we’re a big hit this year, with collections appearing twice on our roundup! First and fittingly, for the directors!

7. 50 AFFIRMATIONS FOR DIRECTORS

“Center yourself before and after reciting by taking deep breaths. Affirmations are a meditative process, and they work best when your mind isn’t wandering to what you’re gonna eat for dinner, or what’s on your to-do list for the day.”

Pitch Decks were all the rage in 2021, with blogs devoted to them appearing twice on our list. First up, the basics!

6. WHAT SHOULD GO IN MY PITCH DECK?

“This is the most important part of the deck, so make sure you make it easy for the investor! Spell out exactly what the investment opportunities are and what the producer can get out of it. Include a contact or a form to make it easy for potential investors to reach out to you immediately.”

Starting off our TOP FIVE is none other than our founder himself, Ken Davenport!

5. FROM THE FOUNDER: 10 FAQS ABOUT BROADWAY INVESTING

“Whether you’re a potential Broadway Investor looking to dip your toes into our theatrical waters, or whether you’re a Producer looking to raise money for your show, I think you’ll find these Qs and their appropriate As helpful.”

And from Founder to Directors, these ten tips tipped their way to our #4 spot.

4. 10 TIPS FOR DIRECTORS FROM DIRECTORS

“Timothy Van Bruggen brings us what we’re calling the “Power 3” for directors: Trust. Encourage. Challenge. We love to see it!”

3. YOUR GUIDE TO PERFECT PITCH DECKS

“If you’ve reached the “Pitch Deck” stage on your show’s journey, congratulations theatermaker! You are well on your way to building your show family and bringing Broadway dreams to life-especially your own.” 

We’re almost there! Our runner up for Blog of The Year was just released last week. You all clicked away and pushed our “22 Submissions for 2022” right to the top. We can’t wait to hear what’s next for your shows!

2. 22 SUBMISSIONS FOR 2022

“As Elphaba says, ‘Until I try, I’ll never know!’ so if you’ve been thinking about submitting your new show, try any (or all!) of these 22 Submission opportunities coming your way in 2022!”

Our #1 blog of the year was actually published in 2020, but as theater made its great return, it seemed we all needed a little affirmation before hitting those audition rooms and rehearsal halls!

1. 50 AFFIRMATIONS FOR ACTORS

“Affirmations motivate us and focus our minds on our goals, whether it’s finishing the play you’ve been working on since the beginning of the pandemic, or finding a producer to read your script.”

And there you have it! What a year this has been, TheaterMakers. As we head towards 2022, may we all continue to see our dreams realized and goals reached. Like always, TheaterMakers Studio will be there for you in 2022 to be a treasure trove of ideas, resources, and so much more that will help get you to the next stage of production. It is our absolute honor to be a part of your theatermaking journey. 

Have a Happy New Year!